Firm Says New Robot Can Wash Bathroom Floors

BOSTON (AP) – The Massachusetts company that makes a robotic vacuum cleaner is introducing a tiny new robot designed to perform one of the more unpleasant household tasks: washing the bathroom floor.

IRobot says the Scooba 230 is compact enough to clean in tight spaces around toilets and other bathroom fixtures. The device is 6.5 inches in diameter and 3.5 inches tall.

The Bedford-based firm claims the Scooba can neutralize up to 97 percent of common bacteria and — unlike the old-fashioned mop and bucket — never reuses dirty water.

IRobot says the new robot will be available in the spring with a suggested retail price of $299.99. The company plans to unveil it along with an updated version of its Roomba vacuum cleaner at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on Thursday.